Friendship and Flowers Volunteers

Friendship and Flowers Volunteers promote friendship and wellness by making once-per-month social visits to home-bound older adults, bringing flowers, treats, and friendly conversation. These visits occur on the third Saturday of each month. Other engagement may include phone, written, or other meaningful contact. Friendship and Flowers Volunteers are supervised an LBFE Program Coordinator.

Friendship and Flowers has roots that go back to the founding of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly. Our founder, Armand Marquiset, initially began delivering hot meals and flowers to the elderly poor in Paris after World War II, believing that "the greatest poverty is the poverty of love." If interested, contact Carolyn Swenson at cswenson@littlebrothersmn.org or 612.746.0753.

Friendship and Flowers Volunteer Job Description:

Benefits

• Gain gratification of knowing that the isolation of an older person has been relieved
• Develop new friendships and share new experiences
• Gain experience in the field of aging
• Develop and enhance skills and abilities
• Attend LBFE celebrations, activities, and workshops
• Attend on-going training and workshops
• Obtain support and technical assistance

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between the older person you spend time with and LBFE by reporting any concerns about health and well-being to the Program Coordinator
• Follow the policies of the organization
• Respect the confidences of the recipients of LBFE's services and the LBFE organization
• Demonstrate commitment, reliability, and responsibility
• Provide feedback, suggestions, and recommendations to appropriate staff concerning the effectiveness of LBFE's programs
• Inform LBFE staff or Volunteer Services Manager if you are unable to continue volunteer duties

Qualifications

• Desire to enhance the well-being of older adults
  
• Sensitivity to the needs of lonely and isolated older adults facing difficult life experiences
• Effective communication skills
• Flexibility and an open mind to diversity
• Comfortable in nursing homes
• Ability to transport yourself to Twin Cities’ nursing homes

Time Commitment

• 2 hour orientation and basic training
• 2 hours every 3rd Saturday of the month